It's been awhile but we're mocking now!
This will be my first (published) mock draft since the 49ers traded up to #3 to select the QB of the future.
Between you and I, this is probably the 1,000th mock I've put together since that time and I am really excited to do a deep dive into this one and the possibilities for the 49ers in the upcoming draft.
Mock 4.0
3) Ohio State QB Justin Fields
When I started scouting college QBs back in October, if you asked me if the 49ers actually had a shot at drafting Justin Fields I would have told you there is 0% chance of that happening.
But here we are a couple hours before the draft and Fields is absolutely in play for the 49ers.
For myself, this is a no brainer pick. If you take a look at my QB rankings that I posted yesterday, you will see why I believe this. It will be interesting to see how this scenario actually plays out tonight, but this is where I land for the future of the franchise.
TRADE ALERT!
The 49ers make the ultimate 'win now' move by moving back into the first round. The logic here is that the Jets aren't necessarily in a 'win now' mode and are willing to drop 20 picks back while gaining a future 2nd and additional compensation.
I will absolutely say this is not a prediction of what the team will do, rather what I would try to do.
Pick 23 - Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman
The 49ers continue to shock the NFL world by making insane moves and jump back into the first round for a stud WR.
Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch decide that they will leverage the future to get the most dangerous weapons around their young franchise QB. Now the 49ers head into 2021 with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Rashod Bateman as their top receiving options.
I believe there is a world where Rashod Bateman comes away as the best WR from this draft class. My good friend Jason Aponte made a great comparison, calling Bateman this years Justin Jefferson.
Bateman has a lot of traits that reminds me of Brandon Aiyuk. I see great speed combined with ability to torture DBs with his route running ability. He can run every route and even run them unconventionally due to his speed and control, just like Aiyuk.
If the 49ers want to go far with a rookie QB, they need to put as many weapons around the young star as possible.
Trade Alert!
It's been heavily rumored for months that the Patriots and 49ers could eventually work out a trade to send Jimmy Garoppolo back to New England and those rumors have picked up tons of steam as we inch closer to the draft.
The 49ers strike a deal to send Jimmy to the Patriots for a 3rd round pick straight up.
Pick 96 - Minnesota CB Benjamin St-Juste
The 49ers go back to the well in Minnesota and grab another Gopher captain in St-Juste.
A long, rangy cornerback who has the traits to move extremely well for being a tall CB. When I was watching him at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile in January, he instantly reminded me of Ahkello Witherspoon. Now some fans may not have the fondest memories of Ahkello but that doesn't change that fact that Ahkello was our best CB to start the 2019 season and was derailed by injuries. St-Juste will come in to fill Ahkello's role and provide great depth for the 49ers.
St-Juste will have a great opportunity to not need to start right away with Verrett, Moseley, and K'Waun Williams all coming back. He will be a key depth piece in year one and could slot into the starting role in year two if Verrett opts for a big time contract in free agency.
117) UCLA RB/WR Demtric Felton
Demtric Felton has been on of my favorite prospects from this process since getting to watch him tear up the Senior Bowl.
Although Felton played RB at UCLA, he is being drafted primarily as a slot WR/Receiving back out of the backfield. He offers a diverse skillset and could see Shanahan completely maximizing his potential. The same them applies to this pick as the Bateman selection, get as many weapons as possible.
Felton can contribute right away, especially as a special teams returner. And don't get it confused, he will play RB for the 49ers as well and could be the ultimate chess piece in an offense constantly trying to create mismatches.
Pick 155) USC CB Olaijah Griffen
The son of rapper Warren G looks to be a regulator himself when he was playing CB for the Trojans.
When watching him play, I envision the successor to K'Waun Williams. Griffen plays with the same kind of grit and nastiest as K'Waun. They might not be the biggest DBs but they definitely don't back down from a challenge. Has has good traits that allow him to mirror WRs and stick in their hip pocket. He looks to be a sleeper in this class.
Pick 172) Northern Iowa DE Elerson Smith
One of my favorite gems in this class, the 49ers add a raw but dynamic edge defender who can turn into a beast.
Standing 6'6'" 252 lbs, Elerson is absolutely massive but moves extremely well for his size. He has the ability to kick down and play over the Guard and rush the passer off the edge. I was a big fan of former small school and current Steelers DE Alex Highsmith who wound up turning in one of the best rookie season last year and could see Elerson having similar potential.
He was an absolute stud at the Senior Bowl and was impossible to ignore. I think he will need a couple years in the league before you get to see really who he is but he is a guy I would grab and stash then reap the rewards.
Watch him beat a 1st/2nd round tackle in Dillon Radunz below.
Pick 194) Miss St RB Kylin Hill
Here is another "my guy" from the Senior Bowl. I will be 100% honest here, there is no way Hill falls this far and if he does someone needs to be fired.
This is a great RB who posses a skillset that allows him to be extremely versatile. He can run you over, jump over you, and juke you all on the same play. He has really good vision and then his traits take over after that. He has great burst and one-cut ability in the hole.
This would be a huge W to get a RB of this quality late in the draft.
Pick 230) Texas DL Ta'Quon Graham
First of all, great name. Secondly, underrated defensive lineman.
Graham is a more athletic IDL and has a similar mold to DJ Jones who is currently on the roster. Graham would be a great piece to add late that could be apart of the DL rotation early in his career. He would be a great depth piece in the 7th round.
With the NFL Draft just a few short hours away, I feel that we are in for a bunch of surprises.
Buckle up!
